The shipping of dangerous goods is regulated by various entities, including International Air Transport Association (IATA), US Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Regulated dangerous goods includes chemicals, biohazards, preservatives of biological materials (ex: dry ice), radioactive materials, and batteries.
University of Miami (UM) personnel must adhere to all shipping regulations, as penalties for improper shipping can include fines for you, fines for the university, as well as criminal charges. All UM personnel intending to ship must complete the Shipping of Dangerous Goods training, available on Blackboard, as a first step in the shipping process. This training must be maintained biennially. Please see the training page for more details. If you do not know if you are shipping dangerous goods contact EHS at 305-243-3400.
Shipping Biological or Chemical Materials
Biological and chemical materials can be shipped by anyone certified to do so. Please note that preservatives for biological materials, such as dry ice and formalin, as well as lithium batteries that might go in a device being shipped are regulated chemicals that adhere to the same requirements as any other dangerous good.
Shipping Radioactive Material
The shipping of radioactive material can only be done by the Division of Radiation Control
305-243-6369
Shipping of Dangerous Goods Training Requirements
- There are two parts to shipping training: an online general shipping training, and an in person/webinar training specific to the materials you will be shipping. Shipping training is required by both shippers, and anyone else in the lab involved with the packing and preparing of a sample for shipment. The online training portion must be completed every two (2) years. The Shipping of Dangerous Goods training can be completed at miami.edu/blackboard and typing “Shipping” in the search box.
- Once complete, please reach out to EHS and ehs_shipping@umiami.edu to schedule the second portion of your training. The in person/webinar training is meant to provide specific guidance directly relevant to the materials you’re shipping, how to properly pack those materials, and how to adhere to all relevant regulations. When reaching out, provide detail on the types of materials you will be shipping out, all biological, preservatives, and chemicals involved. A training specific to your needs will be scheduled and provided. This training is only required once, however we are happy to provide it upon request in the future if desired.
